What's Happening in Ararat Business?

The Victorian Government’s Small Business Bus provides free mentoring and face-to-face assistance to help you start or build your small business. Book a session or drop in and discover how the Small Business Bus can help you plan, start or grow your business. Visit http://www.business.vic.gov.au/sbb or call the Ballart Victoria Contact Centre on 13 22 15

The Ararat Rural City Council has announced three barbecue sessions for the community to attend in order to discuss the 2017 Draft Rating Strategy, the council plan 2017-2021 and the draft budget 2017/18 before they are considered for adoption at the council meeting on June 27. Sessions will be held on Tuesday, May 23

Don’t miss out on the first Network & Nibbles night for 2017. To be hosted at Chalamber Golf Club (on the deck). The “network & nibbles” is an informal evening of networking and fostering relationships with other businesses throughout the region. Non ARBA members are welcome. DATE: Tuesday 16th May 2017 TIME: 6:30pm LOCATION: Chalamber

Congratulation to the team at Hansen Design & Print for recently celebrating their 10th Anniversay

Geoff Penna gives us an insight into his business journey.

How did your journey begin?Geoff and Jean Penna commenced Penna Print, on 1st March, 1978. Just 10 years ago sold to Hansen Design & Print.

What’s the favourite part of your job?Meeting with people – business leaders, business operators, local residents or tourists should always remain important. This in turn allows for courteous and satisfying service.

What’s your favourite part about the Ararat Region?The geographic location, couple with the varying natural beauty is often taken for granted; but we are constantly reminded by travellers ‘what a beautiful part of the world you live in”. This area provides all the services that we so heavily rely upon, and expect.

Why I/we joined ARBA?Back in 1978, under the business of Penna Print, I joined the then “Ararat Chamber of Commerce”. It was imperative that a new business to town should become involved with the business community. This was seen as a direct way of having input. For about 25 years I was involved in all roles on the executive and committee; including trader promotions.

How did your journey begin?I started volunteering at JWard about 11 years ago after I retired from teachingWhat’s the favourite part of your job?Taking tours for visitors to the region, seeing the improvement we as friends of JWard make to JWard with making it a better tourist destination and mixing with other volunteers who are involved with JWard.What’s your favourite part about the Ararat Region?The beautiful rural area such as Mt Langi Ghiran, Mt Cole, the rolling hills around Moyston and the scenic drive to Avoca.Why we jointed ARBA?One of our JWards aims is to promote businesses in the region by attracting 10-12,000 visitors. Also the more closely business can work together the more attractive we can make Ararat.

My passion has always been in the hospitality industry with having owned a Restaurant in Melbourne and with over 20 years of experience I found it was time to work for myself again. I found a niche in the Ararat market for a mobile coffee van and decided to design and commerce my own business for the Ararat and surrounding areas.

What’s the favourite part of your job?

The opportunity to meet people and making them beautiful coffee. Not to mention being my own boss

What’s Your favourite part about the Ararat Region?

The beauty of the area such as the Pyrenees Rangers, Mt Cole, Green Hill Lake – the whole country lifestyle really

It was an early start on the 17th August 2016, for 70 of Ararat’s leading business people at the Networking Business Breakfast. The event is a collaborative effort between Ararat Regional Business Association – ARBA and Ararat Rural City Council with the event theme being “Infrastructure boom”. Melanie Robertson – Committee for Ballarat and Graham Soawyer – NBN western region were the key note speakers for this event

What are you looking for?

Free Business Planning Template.

Business Planning is a very important aspect of a business that is often overlooked, and with this free template, you can either walk through the process to see if there are areas of need, or fill it in and create your own Business Plan.
Great for presenting to Banks and Grant funding bodies, great for your business' future too!
Download your free Business Victoria Business Plan Template
here